Two individuals involved in a fatal shooting were sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Nov. 21.
On June 18, Antoine Tucker, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Vernon Harrison on June 22, 2022 on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of nine-and-a-half years-to-12 years.
Nakia Pearson, 32, pleaded guilty to attempting to carry a pistol without a license for her involvement in assisting Tucker with his crime.
At the hearing, the prosecution argued that Tucker receive the maximum sentence of 12 years, given that the incident caused the death of a bystander and the defendant’s substantial prior record, indicated that Tucker needed to “learn his lesson”.
Tucker’s defense attorney, Terrance Austin, argued that Tucker experienced a difficult upbringing, and requested the minimum sentencing guidelines. Austin offered Judge Edelman insight into Tucker’s early childhood memories about his mother’s substance abuse with heroin, and his experience with teenage homelessness– arguing that while his youth influenced what happened, Tucker has since shown remorse.
“Antoine Tucker is not a monster,” Austin said. “He is not a person without values or morals, or deserves to be locked up in a prison for the rest of his life.”
Austin also told Judge Edelman that Tucker’s time in the DC Jail has led to rehabilitation services for his mental health, as well as medication to help regulate his behavior. Austin emphasized that Tucker was determined to complete his GED and expand his skillset in order to maintain permanent employment to support his own family.
Austin also read a letter from Tucker’s wife to the court, that stated that she was the first person in Tucker’s life to say she was proud of him.
“[Tucker] has potential,” Austin said. “He has always had potential. He has just never had the platform to use it before.”
Judge Edelman acknowledged that a much longer sentence would normally be considered for the incident, and raised concern about Tucker’s record, which contained a number of violent offenses, gun offenses, and misdemeanors since 2014 across both DC and Maryland.
Ultimately, Judge Edelman agreed with the prosecution and stated that the defense’s argument for the minimum sentence, as well as Tucker’s history with his wife would be more mitigating if Tucker was younger.
Tucker was therefore sentenced to 11-and-a-half years of incarceration with five years of supervised release where Tucker must maintain employment and vocational training. Judge Edelman also ordered that upon his release, Tucker must complete a mental health assessment, maintain a stay-away order, and register as a firearm offender.
Judge Edelman also ordered that Tucker must be placed within 180 miles of Washington D.C. and complete his GED while incarcerated.
Pearson’s defense attorney, Peter Odom, stated that Pearson did not know anything about the crime, and would continue to refuse to plead guilty to anything that relates her directly to the homicide.
Odom stated that there was nothing in Pearson’s past that showed that she would hide or plan the “heinous crime” that took place, and therefore requested a sentence of probation. Odom also spoke highly of Pearson, saying that, “In many ways she is a success story, and she is an incredible mom.”
Pearson was sentenced to 120 days of incarceration, all of which was suspended, and six months of probation without supervision, with the condition of a stay-away order.
Judge Edelman acknowledged that Pearson had remained on release for more than two-and-a-half years and maintained perfect compliance, and stated that he does not believe that she requires further supervision.
No further dates were set.
